The Anchorage School Board approved a severe budget plan this week that will result in hundreds of staff layoffs and the closure of three schools for the upcoming academic year, district officials announced Wednesday.
Faced with steep financial shortfalls driven by declining enrollment and reduced state funding, the board voted to implement deep cuts to balance the district’s budget. The plan calls for laying off dozens of teachers, support staff, and administrators, affecting schools across the district.
In addition to staffing reductions, the budget overhaul includes the closure of three district schools, a move school board members described as “difficult but necessary” to preserve the district’s long-term fiscal stability. Details on which campuses will close were not immediately released, but school officials said affected families will receive information and support in the coming days.
Board members said the decision was driven by an ongoing drop in student enrollment, which has significantly reduced per-student funding, and projections showing the district facing a multimillion-dollar deficit. Efforts to identify alternative cost-saving measures were unsuccessful, officials said, leaving deep budget cuts and school closures as the primary way to maintain district operations.
Anchorage Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop said the district will work with union leaders and community partners to support displaced staff and help families navigate changes for the next school year. Additional budget discussions and planning sessions are scheduled as the district prepares to implement the new plan.
Also Read: School Closure for Bethel Schools January 15 2026
School board officials said they hope the difficult decisions will stabilize the district’s finances and allow a focus on improving educational outcomes for the remaining student population.
